Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-03-25
PASSENGER TRAIN PROTECTION.

fASSEN0Eh
when we halt at the next station, if
you come out upon the platform with
me, you will observe the appearance of u
red lantern at the end of the rear coach
of this train. simultaneously with the
stopping OF the train"
The speaker was Conductor Sullivan,
of the Rock Island aud st. Louis dlvi>
sion of the c., B, 6 O., and he was ad-
dressing an ARGUS reporter, who was a
passenger on night train coming up the
road
Now" said the conductor, when the
train was under way again, and having
made his round through the train
and dropped into seat beside
the scribe, Il will tell you the meaning
of the appearance of that red light.
When and wherever this train stops,
whether at station or not, you will see
if you are careful to observe that light
come out on the platform. The man who
carries it is recent addition to our pas
senger train crews on this road; his post
of duty is on the rear coach. which is a
sleeper. In the day time he carries flag
instead of the lantern, and it is his duty
to proceed to the platform Immediately
upon the stopping of the train. We call
him the tiagman. If the train is detained
a second over the ordinary time, it is
his business 10 run as fast as he
can back twenty telegraph poles, which
is half a mile. waving his lantern al
the time, and when he reaches the dis
lance mentioned. he must stand there
until by signal whistle from the engi-
neer he is called 10. Then he must place
on the right hand track two torpedoes,
SO if q train comes along in the time
Intervening his getting back to his train,
it will be warned of danger ahead, and
the instructions in such cases are thai
the engineer must run slowly until he
understands the meaning of the torpedoes
If the train is going in the opposite di
rection the torpedo Will be on the left
hand side of course, aud then no atten-
ton is paid it.
The reason of this new arrangement,
the conductor continued, lis apparent
Careful observation has shown that a
large majority of railroad accidents. col>
lisions at least. happen through one Train
dashlng into the rear OF train unex,
pectedly delayed, CT stopped between
stations. While claiming 10 protect the
entire train. railway companies are par
ticularly careful to give the sleepers
every advantage possible. They are al,
ways the last coaches in a train, and
their only danger is from something
coming up in the rear The in.
PRODUCTION of the fiagman practi-
cally does away with this danger
and trains NAV follow each other in a:
rapid succession as possible with almos
absolute safety, passenger trains Away:
having all rights, and no train is eve
allowed to follow a passenger out of I
station until certain length of time ha
elapsed"
At this moment the locomotive whistlel
for station. and the conductor wa:
called away. The duties of the new pas
senger train officer which the Burlington
system has introduced. are simple and
easy. Many days may pass without his
being required to do heavy service, but
he is expected to be at his post always.
and when occasion requires. he comes in
quite handy. The idea is commendable
one, and will doubtless in many instances
prevent great deal of destruction and
loss.